Leaders of Iran and Kazakhstan announced about economic profitability of transportation of Kazakhstan's oil through the territory of Iran

/Kazakhstan today, Apr 25, 02/ - Leaders of Iran and Kazakhstan estimate the route of Kazakhstan's oil transportation through the territory of Iran as "economically profitable". The President of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbaev and the President of Iran Mokhammed Khottami announced it by results of two-sided meeting at the press conference on April 24 in Almaty. "We are looking for multivariate routes of Kazakhstan's oil transportation to external markets," said the President of Kazakhstan. In connection with it the head of the republic noted that the route through Iran to Persian Gulf is "economically profitable" and "everyone admits it". "I think that perspective of this projects is good," sated Nursultan Nazarbaev. In his turn M. Khattami emphasized that Teheran "greets" transportation of Kazakhstan's oil through the territory of Iran. "It is the most reliable and economical route," the President of Iran said. Besides, Nazarbaev noted that Astana believes in Kazakhstan's port Aktau in the aspect of increasing cargo turnover with Iran. Along with this, the head of the sate stressed a necessity of increase of capacity of Iran port Anzali. "Then we will be able to supply to North Iran oil in bigger volumes," said N. Nazarbaev. According to information of the republic president, now Kazakhstan supplies to Iran through Caspian tankers 1 million tons of oil annually. Also the head of the sate noted that Kazakhstan supplied to Iran about a half million tons of grain, whereas export potential of the republic accounts for 5- 6 million tons. "We supply grain, steel products to Iran. It's necessary to determine what Kazakhstan will acquire from Iran," said N. Nazarbaev. Also the President underlined that due to Iran position there was built and put into operation railroad connecting Almaty - Tashkent - Turkmenabad - Serakhs - Meshkhed - Teheran. "A month ago the first passenger train went through, now cargo trains will start going and it will give an opportunity for the growth of our trade," said N. Nazarbaev. In general, Nazarbaev underlined that the trade between two countries has a good dynamics. By information of Kazakhstan ministry of foreign affairs, the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Iran in 2001 totaled $220m, including export from Kazakhstan to Iran - $210m (it is mainly steel products and grain), import - $10m. [2002-04-25]